Transmigrated as an Extra: Awakening of The Ex‐Class'-Chapter 79 : Preparations for the School Festival Part 4

We talked about simple things: botany class, as it was a great elective for improving mental health, the garden that seemed to be enchanted by the particles of mana that made it glow softly, and even the sweets she used to bake at home. Her voice grew softer as she spoke. At first, she seemed restrained, nervous, as if afraid of the sound of her own words, but little by little, she gained confidence. Her amethyst eyes lit up with a mixture of sadness and joy as she told how her grandmother, an ancient, had taught her to listen to the hearts of plants.

Time vanished before we realized it, like a sandstorm unraveling as the wind sped by. We chatted, sitting on a small, beautifully decorated limestone bench, partially covered by a vine of leaves that made it look like something straight out of a fairy tale. The flowers in the garden—blue roses that only bloom during full moon nights—slowly turned toward the small fountain that stood near us.

It was there, under the orange light that filled the sky, surrounded by a breeze scented with the fragrance of heliangel, that she told me her name.

"Ivvy," she whispered, almost as if afraid to say it out loud. "Just that... for now."

She said no more. And although her voice was soft, there was something familiar about her name. Perhaps secrets, perhaps wounds. But her eyes held fire. The fact that she had summoned me there, a naturally shy person, already showed that she had a firm determination within her, like a diamond a gem hidden behind a porcelain exterior.

As we talked and gained a little trust, I was able to observe her figure in more detail. Her long, loose pink hair swayed in the breeze, catching golden reflections from the setting sun. And yet, it was her presence that stood out the most, as if the air around her was being purified. There was a certain sanctity in her atmosphere, almost sacred. I thought for a moment that if she lost a little weight she would be a beauty like no other, but that decision wasn’t mine to make.

I spoke calmly, feeling the weight of my own words before I said them. I didn’t want her to feel hurt, so I decided to speak clearly.

"Ivvy... I’m sorry. Right now, I’m not in a position to date anyone. There are certain circumstances around me, and... it would be unfair to you if I agreed without being able to give you the attention you deserve."

I said this, looking her straight in the eyes, letting sincerity envelop every word. I knew it wasn’t enough to say the right thing. I had to do it with the right intention and open my heart a little. I prepared myself to see sadness, disappointment, maybe tears running down her cheeks, soft as moonlily petals.

But there was no such thing as sadness on her face.

Instead, she looked at me determinedly and gave a small smile, as if simply saying what she felt was enough for her. Her expression had changed; she looked lighter, calmer. As if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. In that moment, I realized she hadn’t been looking for a positive response from the beginning.

"Thank you for listening," she said gently, lowering her gaze slightly. "That’s enough."

Her words didn’t sound like a goodbye, but rather an acknowledgment of what we had shared. The spell wasn’t broken. It just changed shape.

We stayed talking for a little longer after that. There were no awkward silences or forced sentences. It was... nice. As if we no longer had to endure expectations and could instead enjoy a pleasant conversation. She told me how she had arrived at the academy, crossing the dimensional door from the southern realms. I listened to her story, quite surprised. I knew there were all kinds of places in this world, but hearing it from someone else is an experience in itself.

When it was finally time to say goodbye, she turned and walked away among the flowers of the garden. Her silhouette blended into the golden evening mist. Each of her steps seemed choreographed, as if the garden responded to her movements: the flowers bowed gently, and tiny flickers of light danced around her. Her pink hair swayed in the breeze, and for a moment I thought I saw translucent illusions around her, like tiny wings unfurling behind her... but I blinked, and they were gone.

I looked at the box in my hands. It was small, wrapped in gold linen paper and sealed with a silver ribbon forming a beautiful rune pattern. I didn’t dare open it; it would have been almost a waste to damage the packaging.

The sun began to set on the horizon, signaling the coming of night, tinting the clouds with violet and gold hues. I stood there for a few more minutes, the box still in my hands, feeling the gentle pulse resonating through the paper.

Then I stood up. The garden was a beautiful place that relieved my worries for a moment. I was grateful to Ivvy, who had shown me this place.

***

Ivvy walked slowly through the halls, shuffling lightly. Her steps were soft, almost silent, and her mind was among the clouds. The smile that formed was subtle, almost charming, and had little to do with the gray walls or the noisy lockers that surrounded her. No. She was remembering Cyan.

Meeting him had been like waking up from a sweet dream. I could still see in her mind’s eye the vague expression of surprise and joy on his face when she handed him that small gift I had made with such care. Cyan looked at it with genuine amazement, held it gently between her fingers, and, to her surprise, didn’t mock her. His words had been gentle, sincere, without a trace of sarcasm.

And most importantly: he didn’t judge her. He didn’t look down at her body or twist his lips in disgust, as many in her class did. He didn’t make her feel uncomfortable. On the contrary, he was so respectful, so kind, that her heart still beat a little faster at the memory.

"It’s impossible not to fall in love with someone like that," Ivvy murmured to herself, smiling silly as she ran her hand over her backpack. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

"What did you say, you scumbag? Are you talking to yourself now?"

The comment fell like an icy stone in her ass. The voice came from her right, sharp and cruel, and it chilled her blood. Her body tensed instantly. She knew who it was. He didn’t need to see her to feel the chill she always gave him.

"N... nothing, Amanda," Ivvy murmured, lowering her gaze, hoping the conversation would end there. But she knew it wouldn’t.

Amanda approached her, her steps increasingly firm and her smile crooked. She was one of those people who knew exactly where and how to hurt. Her voice was like a sharp knife disguised as mockery. She liked to annoy the more easily touched, but she was shy around the stronger ones.

"I saw you the other day talking to Cyan," she said mockingly, tilting her head. "Do you really think he likes you? Please..." He barely looked at you without throwing up.

Ivvy pressed her lips together and lowered her head further. She wanted to keep walking, but Amanda blocked her way.

"What did you give him? A cookie covered in your drool?" "I bet he thought it was a joke." She laughed scornfully, and behind her, two more girls started laughing too. Someone always played along.

"No... it was just a little gift," Ivvy tried to explain, almost in a whisper, but her voice cracked at the end.

Amanda snorted. She moved even closer, too close, invading her personal space. She roughly lifted her chin with a finger.

"Listen to me, pig," she said in a tone so low that only Ivvy could hear. "Don’t get your hopes up about boys like him, no, better not get your hopes up about anyone, you’re just pathetic. You should be grateful that they look at you without laughing. Although I wouldn’t, to be honest. I only put up with you because you make me laugh, honestly. I only put up with you because you make me laugh."

Ivvy swallowed. There was a lump in her throat and a pressure in her chest that threatened to overwhelm her.

Amanda smiled with satisfaction at her glassy eyes. She took a step back as if she’d already accomplished her goal and, as she passed her, gave her a shove with her shoulder that almost knocked her against the lockers.

"We’re not seeing each other, pig," Amanda said before walking away, laughing with her friends.

Ivvy stood still for a few seconds, her heart pounding, but no longer with joy. It was fear. It was helplessness.

She leaned against a locker and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She wanted to cry. But no. Not there. Not in front of them.